CHS/Hobbs basketball capsules

Girls

Hobbs (19-6, 7-0) at Clovis (22-3, 6-1)

7:30 p.m. tonight, Rock Staubus Gym

At stake: The District 4-5A regular-season title.

Last time out: Hobbs beat Carlsbad 47-34. Clovis beat Carlsbad 66-22.

Last meeting: Hobbs beat Clovis 46-44 in double overtime.

Hobbs player to watch: Senior W Jessica Nelson is averaging 19.3 points in district play.

By the numbers: Clovis beat Hobbs 19 times in row from 1994-95 to 2000-01.

The difference: Clovis needs to battle Hobbs even on the boards.

Notes: Hobbs is ranked third in this week’s Albuquerque Journal Coaches’ Poll and Clovis is tied for fourth. ... Unlike the last two seasons, Hobbs prefers a slower tempo because of limited depth and shaky ballhandling. ... Nelson is coming off a nine-point performance against Carlsbad. … Clovis sophomore Aimee Hilburn scored 17 points in the first half of last week’s win over Carlsbad and finished with 19 for the game. … Hobbs coach Johnny Casaus spent 17 coaching in the Clovis school system, including the last 10 as Dale Severson’s assistant.

Quotable: “You have to get it out in the open. We’ve been talking about Hobbs and will continue to talk about Hobbs until we beat them.” — Clovis coach Miles Watters on his team’s seven-straight losses to Hobbs.

Boys

Clovis (19-6, 4-3) at Hobbs (21-4, 6-1)

7:45 p.m. tonight, Ralph Tasker Arena

At stake: Hobbs can earn at least a share of the district title with a win.

Last time out: Hobbs beat Carlsbad 83-70. Clovis beat Carlsbad 52-49.

Last meeting: Hobbs beat Clovis 75-68.

Hobbs player to watch: Senior G Ervin Youmans scored a career-high 40 points against Clovis in their first meeting.

By the numbers: Clovis and Hobbs combined for 225 points in a double-overtime thriller in 2001. Clovis won the game 113-112.

The difference: Clovis needs to make Hobbs pay for pressing by converting layups. “We can’t let them get off to a big lead on us,” Clovis coach J.D. Isler said. “We’ve just got to go in there and play for four quarters.”

Notes: Hobbs is ranked No. 1 in this week’s Associated Press poll, and fourth in the Albuquerque Journal coaches poll. … Clovis is 5-5 since its 14-1 start. … Hobbs has beaten Clovis six straight times.

Quotable: “I think our kids will be motivated for the game because we felt like we should have beaten them at our place, and because it’s Hobbs.” — Isler, on the fact that the game doesn’t mean anything for the Cats in terms of the district standings.